First Day of Daycare: Complete Preparation Guide for 2026

Everything you need to know for your child's first day of daycare. Preparation timeline, what to pack, drop-off tips, and how to handle separation anxiety.

DRT

DaycarePath Research Team

Child Development Specialists

December 26, 2025

13 min read

First Day of Daycare: Complete Preparation Guide for 2026

The first day of daycare is a milestone—for your child and for you. The good news? With proper preparation, what seems terrifying often becomes surprisingly smooth.

This guide walks you through everything: the weeks leading up, what to pack, how to handle drop-off, and what to expect in those first emotional days.

The Preparation Timeline
What to Pack for Daycare
Preparing Your Child Emotionally
Drop-Off Day Strategies
Managing Separation Anxiety
The First Week
Preparing Yourself
Common First-Day Scenarios

The Preparation Timeline

Starting early makes everything easier. Here's what to do and when.

Parent preparing child's backpack for daycare

One Month Before

Paperwork and logistics:

[ ] Complete all enrollment forms
[ ] Submit immunization records
[ ] Provide emergency contacts
[ ] Set up payment method
[ ] Download communication app

Information to share:

[ ] Your child's daily schedule (naps, meals)
[ ] Favorite comfort items and activities
[ ] Any fears or sensitivities
[ ] Dietary needs or allergies
[ ] Developmental notes (where they are with walking, talking, potty)

Two Weeks Before

Practice runs:

[ ] Drive the daycare route at actual drop-off time
[ ] Visit the classroom with your child (if allowed)
[ ] Meet your child's primary caregiver
[ ] Practice the morning routine

Routine shifts:

[ ] Adjust wake-up time if needed
[ ] Shift nap schedule to match daycare
[ ] Practice separation with short periods away

One Week Before

Final preparations:

[ ] Shop for required supplies
[ ] Label everything with your child's name
[ ] Pack and repack the daycare bag
[ ] Plan your own first-day outfit (tear-resistant, comfortable)
[ ] Arrange backup plans for the first week

Emotional preparation:

[ ] Read books about daycare together
[ ] Talk positively about the upcoming change
[ ] Acknowledge feelings (yours and theirs)
[ ] Create a goodbye ritual

Night Before

[ ] Lay out tomorrow's clothes (yours and child's)
[ ] Pack the daycare bag completely
[ ] Prepare breakfast and bottles/milk
[ ] Set alarm with buffer time
[ ] Get extra sleep (you'll need it)

What to Pack for Daycare

Every daycare has different requirements. Here's a comprehensive checklist to customize.

Organized daycare bag with essentials

Daily Essentials

For all ages:

[ ] Extra set of clothes (top, bottom, socks, underwear)
[ ] Weather-appropriate outerwear
[ ] Comfort item (if allowed)
[ ] Any medications with authorization forms

Infants (0-12 months)

[ ] Diapers (5-8 per day typically)
[ ] Wipes
[ ] Diaper cream
[ ] Bottles (labeled with name and date)
[ ] Breastmilk or formula (labeled, in cooler bag)
[ ] Burp cloths
[ ] Extra onesies (2-3)
[ ] Pacifiers (if used)
[ ] Sleep sack (if preferred)
[ ] Baby food/purees (if starting solids)

Toddlers (1-3 years)

[ ] Diapers or pull-ups (if not potty trained)
[ ] Wipes
[ ] Extra clothes including underwear
[ ] Sippy cup or water bottle
[ ] Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
[ ] Nap items (blanket, stuffed animal if allowed)
[ ] Extra shoes (for outdoor play)

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

[ ] Full change of clothes
[ ] Water bottle
[ ] Sunscreen
[ ] Nap items (if still napping)
[ ] Show and tell items (when applicable)
[ ] Art smock (if requested)

Labeling Tips

Label EVERYTHING:

Use waterproof labels (or permanent marker)
Include first and last name
Label bottles, containers, clothing, backpack
Consider color-coded items for quick identification

Popular labeling options:

Mabel's Labels
Name Bubbles
Oliver's Labels
Simple permanent marker on care tags

Preparing Your Child Emotionally

Age-appropriate preparation helps children feel more secure about the change.

Parent reading book to child about daycare

For Infants (Under 12 Months)

Infants won't understand explanations, but they sense your emotions.

What helps:

Keep your energy calm and positive
Visit the daycare together beforehand
Let them meet caregivers in advance
Bring familiar items (blanket, lovey)

For Toddlers (1-3 Years)

Toddlers understand more than they can express. Keep it simple and concrete.

Talk about daycare:

"Soon you'll go to a place with toys and friends"
"Miss Sarah will take care of you while Mommy/Daddy works"
"I will always come back to pick you up"

Books to read together:

"Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney
"The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
"Owl Babies" by Martin Waddell
"Maisy Goes to Nursery School" by Lucy Cousins

Practice activities:

Play "daycare" at home
Practice saying goodbye and hello
Read books about daycare routines

For Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

Older children can handle more detail and have more complex feelings.

Conversations to have:

Talk about what daycare will be like
Discuss the schedule (meals, nap, play)
Address fears directly and honestly
Let them ask questions

Involve them in preparation:

Let them pick out a new backpack
Choose which comfort item to bring
Decide on a special goodbye ritual
Help pack their bag

Validate feelings:

"It's okay to feel nervous about something new"
"Some kids feel a little scared at first, and that's normal"
"I felt nervous on my first day at a new job too"

Drop-Off Day Strategies

The drop-off can make or break the day. These strategies help.

Parent saying goodbye at daycare door

The Golden Rules of Drop-Off

1. Keep it brief Long goodbyes increase anxiety. Aim for 2-5 minutes maximum.

2. Be confident Children read your emotions. Even if you're dying inside, project calm.

3. Don't sneak away Always say goodbye. Sneaking destroys trust.

4. Stick to the routine Create a goodbye ritual and follow it exactly each time.

5. When you leave, leave Don't keep returning to check. Trust the caregivers.

Create a Goodbye Ritual

A consistent ritual gives children something to hold onto:

Examples:

Special handshake or high-five
"See you later, alligator" exchange
Three kisses (one for each cheek and forehead)
Draw a heart on their hand
"I love you" exchange in sign language

The ritual should be:

Quick (under 30 seconds)
Easy to remember
Special to your relationship
Repeated exactly each day

The Drop-Off Script

Here's exactly what to say:

[Arrive, settle in, hand child to caregiver]

"Good morning! Let's put your bag away and say hi to Miss Sarah."

[Quick ritual]

"Okay, it's time for my goodbye kisses. One, two, three!"

[Hand child to caregiver]

"I love you. I'll be back after nap time. Have fun with your friends!"

[Wave, smile, walk out confidently]

What NOT to Do

Avoid:

"Are you going to be okay?" (implies they might not be)
"Don't cry" (dismisses their feelings)
"I'll miss you so much" (makes it about you)
"Be a big kid" (adds pressure)
Hovering or lingering at the door
Coming back after saying goodbye
Crying in front of your child

Managing Separation Anxiety

Some tears are normal. Here's how to navigate them.

Child transitioning to daycare with comfort item

Understanding Separation Anxiety

Peak ages:

8-10 months (stranger awareness develops)
18 months (height of separation anxiety)
Starting school/new settings

What it looks like:

Crying at drop-off
Clinging to parent
Saying "Don't go"
Tantrums at transition time

What it means: Separation anxiety is developmentally normal. It shows healthy attachment, not a problem with daycare.

Strategies That Help

1. Transition objects A piece of home provides comfort:

Photo of family in their cubby
Small stuffed animal
Parent's scarf that smells like you
"Love note" to find in their bag

2. Consistent routine Predictability reduces anxiety:

Same goodbye ritual daily
Same drop-off time
Same caregiver greeting them

3. Talk about the day Help them anticipate:

"First you'll have breakfast, then circle time, then playground"
"After nap, Daddy will come get you"

4. "When I come back" language

"When I come back after work..."
"When I pick you up, we'll..."
Focus on reunion, not separation

When Crying Continues

In the first 2-4 weeks: Tears are normal. Most children stop crying within 5-10 minutes of parent leaving.

Ask caregivers:

"How long does the crying last?"
"How is she the rest of the day?"
"Can you send me a photo once she's settled?"

Concern if:

Crying persists all day
Child isn't eating or sleeping at daycare
Behavior regresses significantly at home
Adjustment isn't improving after 4 weeks

The First Week

Set realistic expectations for the entire first week.

Child playing happily at daycare

Day-by-Day Expectations

Day 1:

May be fine (novelty effect) or very upset
Exhausted by pickup
May be clingy at home that evening
You may cry in the parking lot (totally normal)

Day 2:

Often harder than Day 1 (reality sets in)
"Wait, this is happening again?!"
Stay strong and consistent

Day 3-4:

May see improvement
Or may see regression before improvement
Both are normal

Day 5:

Beginning of routine
Some children fully adjust
Others need more time

What's Normal in Week One

Physical changes:

Exhaustion (processing is tiring)
Disrupted sleep at home
Appetite changes
Minor illness starting (daycare germs)

Emotional changes:

Extra clingy at home
More tantrums than usual
Regression (potty accidents, thumb sucking)
Difficulty separating at bedtime

These typically resolve within 2-4 weeks as adjustment completes.

When to Worry

Contact the daycare if:

Child refuses all food and drink
Crying continues for hours without consolation
Signs of illness (fever, rash, vomiting)
Marks or injuries you can't explain

Contact your pediatrician if:

Significant regression lasting more than 2 weeks
Child seems depressed (not just sad)
Physical symptoms without illness

Preparing Yourself

This transition is hard on parents too. Your feelings matter.

Parent looking at phone with daycare updates

Acknowledge Your Emotions

It's normal to feel:

Guilt (am I abandoning my child?)
Sadness (I'm missing moments)
Anxiety (is the daycare good enough?)
Relief (I need this, and that's okay)
Mixed emotions (all of the above at once)

All of these are valid. You're not a bad parent for having any of these feelings.

Coping Strategies

The night before:

Write out your worries (get them out of your head)
Plan something to look forward to
Connect with other parents who've done this

Drop-off day:

Give yourself extra time (rushing increases stress)
Wear waterproof mascara (just in case)
Have tissues in the car
Plan not to be productive right after

After drop-off:

Let yourself feel what you feel
Connect with supportive friends
Stay busy if that helps
Don't obsessively check the app (set limits)

Self-Care That First Week

Lower expectations for yourself
Accept help if offered
Go easy on the to-do list
Get extra sleep when possible
Celebrate surviving each day

Common First-Day Scenarios

Here's how to handle common situations.

"My child screamed and clung to me"

What to do:

Hand child to caregiver calmly
Say your brief goodbye
Leave confidently
Trust that crying will stop

What NOT to do:

Don't stay to comfort (prolongs distress)
Don't sneak back to check
Don't cry in front of child

Remember: Caregivers are trained for this. Children almost always calm down within minutes.

"My child seemed fine and didn't even look back"

What it means: This is GOOD. Some children transition easily.

What you might feel: Surprisingly, sometimes hurt that they didn't need you.

The truth: Easy transitions don't mean they love you less. They mean they feel secure enough to explore.

"My child was fine at drop-off but cried at pickup"

What's happening: "Release of tension" crying. They held it together all day and let go when they see you.

What to do:

Expect it
Offer comfort without alarm
Keep pickup brief
Process feelings at home

"My child started asking not to go after Day 2"

What it means: Day 2 often harder as novelty wears off.

What to say:

"I hear you. Going somewhere new is hard."
"Miss Sarah and your friends will be there."
"I love you, and I will come back."

What NOT to say:

"Don't you like your teachers?" (plants doubt)
"If you cry, I'll stay" (rewards resistance)

Your First Day Checklist

Pack the Night Before

[ ] Bag fully packed and ready
[ ] Clothes laid out
[ ] Breakfast ready to go
[ ] All bottles/food prepared

Morning Of

[ ] Extra time built in
[ ] Calm breakfast routine
[ ] Positive talk about the day
[ ] Deep breath before entering

At Drop-Off

[ ] Brief, confident goodbye
[ ] Complete goodbye ritual
[ ] Hand child to caregiver
[ ] Leave without looking back

After Drop-Off

[ ] Cry if you need to (in car)
[ ] Text your support person
[ ] Trust the daycare
[ ] Wait for midday update (if offered)

You've Got This

The first day of daycare is hard. But you're doing something brave: trusting others to care for your child so you can work, knowing your child will benefit from socialization and early learning.

The tears—theirs and yours—are temporary. The benefits are lasting.

More Resources

Last updated: December 2025

#first day of daycare#daycare preparation#separation anxiety#daycare transition#starting daycare

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